COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

P.O. BOX 2120

RICHMOND, VIRGINIA 23218-2120

SUPTS. MEMO NO. 195

September 22, 2006

INFORMATIONAL

TO:	Division Superintendents
FROM:	Billy K. Cannaday, Jr. Superintendent of Public Instruction
SUBJECT:	The 2007 Prudential Spirit of Community Awards

The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards were created in 1995 to recognize students in middle and high school grades who have demonstrated exemplary community service. These prestigious awards, sponsored by Prudential Financial in partnership with the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP), are presented annually on the local, state, and national level. More than 70,000 young people have been honored with Prudential Spirit of Community Awards over the past 11 years.

Prudential Financial is announcing the kickoff of the 2007 program for the Commonwealth of Virginia and is looking for eligible students to participate. Any student who is in grades 5 through 12 as of October 31, 2006, is a legal resident of one of the 50 states of the United States or the District of Columbia, has engaged in a volunteer activity that occurred at least in part after September 1, 2005, and who completes an application and submits it to a school principal or head of an officially designated local organization by October 31, 2006, is eligible to apply.

Honorees are eligible for various prizes and awards, which are listed below.

• Local Honorees receive a Certificate of Achievement from their schools or organizations. Those who qualify also receive the Presidents Volunteer Service Award, recognizing their efforts to answer the Presidents Call to Service.
• State Honorees receive $1,000, engraved silver medallions, and an all-expense-paid trip with a parent or guardian to Washington, D.C., in May for several days of recognition events, including award ceremonies, sight-seeing tours, and Congressional visits on Capitol Hill.
• Distinguished finalists (runners-up at the state level) receive engraved bronze medallions.
• Other top applicants at the state level receive Certificates of Excellence.
• National Honorees receive additional $5,000 awards, engraved gold medallions, and crystal trophies for their schools or organizations. They also receive $5,000 grants from The Prudential Foundation for nonprofit charitable organizations of their choice.

For further information, please visit the Prudential Financial websites at www.prudential.com/spirit or www.principals.org/prudential, call (888) 450-9961 or send an e-mail to spirit@principals.org to request an application packet. Also, you may contact Penetha B. Robertson, middle school English specialist, Office of Middle and High Instruction, by e-mail at penny.robertson@doe.virginia.gov, or by telephone at (804) 371-2588.

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